2014 HHP Summit agenda set

Gladstein, Neandross & Associates, organizers of the 2014 High Horsepower (HHP) Summit, have announced the keynote and full speaker lineup for the third annual conference and expo, taking place Oct. 7-9 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Keynote presentations will be provided by executives from Caterpillar and GE Distributed Power, two of the largest global machine and engine manufacturers of natural-gas-powered engines. Tana Utley, Vice President of Caterpillar’s Large Power Systems Division, will deliver the opening keynote address on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Lorraine Bolsinger, President and CEO of GE Distributed Power, will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, Oct. 8. “Speaking to this global phenomenon, Utley and Bolsinger will provide a pulse on the current and future reality of natural gas fueling for the off-road transportation market,” said HHP Summit organizers.

“The North American shale gas boom continues to present high-fuel-consumption sectors with the opportunity to significantly reduce fuel costs, improve environmental performance, and comply with important air quality regulations,” the organizers noted. “Attendees will be able to gain an inside perspective on the conversion process, technology and fueling solutions, regulatory compliance process, net cost savings, and more.”

Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono will moderate the “Rail Engines & Retrofits: Crossing Over to Natural Gas” breakout session on Thursday, Oct. 9: “Though the adoption of natural gas by the rail industry has been slow-going, in part due to regulatory uncertainty, equipment manufacturers have been moving quickly to produce commercial natural gas powered locomotive technology to meet significant anticipated demand. Major developers and modifiers at the front lines of this exciting technology will provide the latest updates on engine performance and projections for the future of this burgeoning industry.” Speakers are Marti Lenz, Director, Engine Systems, Electro-Motive Diesel; David Mumford, Senior Director, Off-Road Partner Development, Westport; Eric Dillen, Dual Fuel Engine System Leader, GE Transportation; and Scott Jensen, Chief Designer and Project Coordinator, Energy Conversions.

“With hundreds of millions of dollars being invested in HHP natural gas deployment projects throughout North America, we are seeing some real and tangible deployments in an array of horsepower operations,” said GNA CEO Erik Neandross. “GNA is excited to bring together a solid lineup of global high horsepower industry innovators to highlight this growing momentum and to provide attendees with an understanding of how to develop and implement their own natural gas projects. By hearing case studies firsthand from early adopters the key steps to success, understanding available engine technologies and fueling solutions directly from industry-leading manufacturers, and learning how to navigate the regulatory environment, attendees can gain the essential tools to inform their own natural gas HHP strategy.”

Gladstein, Neandross & Associates is a leading North American consulting firm specializing in market development for low-emission and alternative fuel vehicle technologies, infrastructure, and fuels for both on and off-road applications. GNA provides strategic market analysis and planning, technical assistance, and public affairs and policy support to clients in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. For 20 years, GNA has pioneered alternative fuel vehicle projects, including the development of several successful clean fuel corridor projects. In addition to its technical consulting practice, GNA hosts two of North America’s alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology conferences, the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo and the High Horsepower (HHP) Summit.